Product Overview

Controlling humidity in confined spaces has never been easier when you use the Dri-Eaz CMC100 Compact Dehumidifier. This Energy Star dehumidifier removes 70 pints of damaging moisture per day from tight spaces, including crawlspaces, storage areas, attics, and basements. In addition, the CMC100—alternatively known as the Dri-Eaz Model F391—excels in commercial and industrial applications such as marine environments, warehouses, and factories.

Automated Features

The Dri-Eaz CMC100 Dehumidifier is equipped with many automated functionalities that enable true "set it and forget it" operation. First, this Dri-Eaz dehumidifier controls your humidity automatically without user intervention. Using an onboard digital humidistat, the system maintains your set humidity level by cycling on and off periodically. Therefore, there's no need to continually adjust the dehumidifier settings. This is particularly beneficial if the system is installed in hard-to-reach spaces.

In addition, the Dri-Eaz CMC100 automatically pumps out collected water using an internal condensate pump. To set up pump operation, simply attach the 10-foot condensate hose (included with the unit) to the system's drain outlet and route the hose to a nearby drain, well, or other type of water receptacle.

Lastly, the CMC100 features an automatic defrost mode and automatic low temperature protection. In defrost mode, dehumidifier operation stops if frost builds up on the internal condenser or evaporator coils. Once the frost has melted, it will resume normal operation. In low temperature protection mode, the system ceases operation when the temperature falls below freezing. When the temperature rises above freezing, the unit automatically resumes operation. Both modes help protect the CMC100's internal components from damage.

Flexible Installation

Along with boasting the shortest vertical clearance of any dehumidifier on the market with a built-in condensate pump, the Dri-Eaz CMC100 Compact Dehumidifier features an interchangeable panel design that allows for multiple airflow configurations. This helps you adapt the system for use on shelves, in small storage areas, and in spaces where standard airflow from the front of the system to the back is not possible. Alternative configurations include:

Straight-path design, with air flowing from one end of the system to the other in a tunnel-like fashion.

U-shaped design, with the air intake and air outlet located on one side.

L-shaped design, with air intake situated on one end of the unit and air outlet on one side.

Energy- and Cost-Saving Operation

In addition to maintaining the humidity level in your indoor space, the Dri-Eaz CMC100 Dehumidifier helps protect the outdoor environment. This crawlspace dehumidifier is Energy Star-rated for efficient operation. This means that the system uses 10 to 20% less energy than comparable non-Energy Star dehumidifiers to remove the same amount of moisture. The CMC100 also makes use of R-410A refrigerant, an environmentally friendly refrigerant that will not deplete ozone. Moreover, the system consumes only 5.3 Amps of power while dehumidifying your space.

Additional Features

Other features of this Dri-Eaz dehumidifier include:

Automatic Restart On Power Failure – Upon a loss of power, the CMC100 will automatically resume operation when power returns.

Ductable Air Outlet – This compact dehumidifier features a 6-inch duct collar for ducting applications

Washable Air Filter – This washable and vacuum-able air filter helps remove harmful allergens and particles from incoming air.

Recessed Handles – Located on the top of the appliance, these handles allow for easy positioning in confined spaces.

Leveling Footpads – Four adjustable footpads help stabilize the dehumidifier when it's placed on an uneven surface.

Manufacturer's Warranty

1-Year Warranty on Parts and Labor; 1-Year Warranty on Condenser and Coils

I waited a bit to try and give you folks a fair, received, installed and operational review on the Dri-Eaz CMC100 Crawlspace Dehumidifier. This review is one week post installation. First...Read complete review

I waited a bit to try and give you folks a fair, received, installed and operational review on the Dri-Eaz CMC100 Crawlspace Dehumidifier. This review is one week post installation. First impressions, a very good product. I have seen two other reviews where the buyer was dissatisfied with the crating/shipment configuration of this dehumidifier. I can say with extreme confidence that this was not a concern/issue for me AT ALL. The Dri-Eaz CMC100 Crawlspace Dehumidifier came in a well-fitting crate..in a well-fitting box. My Fed-Ex guy is awesome but I'm pretty sure if he had dropped this "freight" it still would have been good-to-go. OK, install…do the lousy leg work and SEAL your crawlspace. Materials will be less than $200 for a thick .mil barrier and your choice of securing that to seal off the ground vapors. Next de-crate the unit. Take your time here. One side (compressor end) is very heavy and the other end is simple to manage. I only used a knife to cut tape. The rest is packed in with an intelligent design. After sealing the crawlspace… I mounted the unit 1' up on blocks because the directions state that the condensation pump can handle a 3' vertical push max. I have a 3.5' crawl space. I did not want to push it as my goal was to move the column of water up to the septic inlet exactly 3 feet from the ground. Long story short raising the unit up 1' on blocks proved to be a good idea. I leveled off the stack and placed the unit on top. The legs were only minimally adjustable but adjustable nonetheless. Pick up some plastic (no breakdown in humid conditions) shims before you start this leveling process. The unit was level and set for power. You will need a grounded (3 prong) outlet for this unit. Do not step down with a 2 prong adapter. This is not recommended, and for a unit you would like to set-and-forget, use the right electrical connections. I powered the unit up and had a RH level of 72%. I am mid-Atlantic. It was early summer. For reference, those of you who are new to (RH) – relative humidity numbers …this is bad. For additional reference my living room was 63% at this time, If you are familiar with home airflow…the LR RH would have been about to go up even more if I did not install this. OK the condensate pump. So far great job. It is pushing a ½" column of water up 2.2 feet. to my septic drain inlet. Now, why I gave it a great rating…within a day my RH was 58%! Two days later 47% and I set my goal RH (machine controlled) to 45%. Third day I was good (45%) and the unit shut down (like it should) until the RH increased later that week due to weather.On the condensate drain, make sure you do not kink the ends before your dump point. If I made the machine I would add a "J" support to the package like you have on your washer drain. But just rig it well so there is no terminal kink. Good dehumidifier, great for set-it-and-forget-it applications.

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Most Liked Negative Review

CMC100

I bought this unit in September 2009 and placed it into service in my 1400 square ft crawlspace. It worked well for the first ten months. Humidity level went from 68% down to 45%...Read complete review

I bought this unit in September 2009 and placed it into service in my 1400 square ft crawlspace. It worked well for the first ten months. Humidity level went from 68% down to 45% after running for one week. During the summer I noticed the unit was running 24/7. There was a 10% difference in between the actual humidity in the crawl as measured by two hygrometers and the reading on this unit. I called Legend Brands (Dri Eaz) and they had me take it apart and try cleaning it out again. By August 2010 it was running 24x7 and not removing any moisture. My electric bill was up and additional $80 per month. I brought it in to a service center and found out the condenser coil had a crack in it and the refrigerant escaped. They wanted $500 to repair it. Dri Eaz support notified me there was a problem with the sensor in these units that could cause the problems I was having with it running all the time. With some persistence on my part I got them to send me a replacement unit although it took three months of troubleshooting and phone calls to make it happen. They also informed me the replacement unit would have no warranty since I was at the end of the warranty on my original unit.

The replacement unit they sent me did not work on arrival. I started it up inside my house where the humidity level was 44% and the units gauge reported 63%. It turned on and ran for 3 minutes, turned off for three, and then ran again for another three minutes. This cycle continued for 30 minutes until I unplugged it. When I open up the unit I discovered they sent me another refurbished CMC100 because some of the cooling fins were slightly bent.

I haven't only been dissatisfied with the CMC100 itself but also Legend Brand's seemingly nonchalant attitude towards making things right and honoring their warranty. I can not recommend this product to anyone and will avoid purchasing a product manufactured by this company for the rest of my life.

I use this product in the crawlspace. It worked well for two years, but stopped working this year. The sensor shows the present humidity is 37 percent when the space is actually over 80 percent. I plan to talk with the manufacturer tomorrow, but this item is out of warranty.

I was impressed at first (one year +/-). Then the coil froze up. I installed new sensors. This time the humidity level it displayed was too low for it to run. I then bought a new board- no difference. I finally brought it to the local distributor. After nearly three months of waiting for new sensors (same ones I replaced) I got it back to find it would freeze up right away. The humidity number was too low also. I finally stuck the freezestat in the coil where the ice forms and placed the humidistat outside the unit in a baggy, partly filled with water. Now it's running, but there is some leakage and obviously I've got the controls all "faked out". It seems the control design is flawed as the other components are OK. Never again!!!

Works well to reduce humidity in a reasonable amount of time. Have not had it long so I cannot say how it will do in the long run but so far along with sealing off my crawl space it has delivered what it promises.

The unit has worked great and reduced my crawlspace humidity to 55% within the first 24 hours. It was simple to install. It is too early to say that I would buy this again. If performance continues for next few years I will be sold.

Richmond Va., has high humidity most of the year. My heat and air conditioning duct work are in the crawlspace. When humid air infiltrates the crawlspace it attaches and condenses on the ductwork, regardless of insulation. It then drips and forms pools on the plastic ground cover. Reducing the humidity has just about eliminated this problem. Made in USA a plus. Wonderful response from SanteFe to inquiry ref fire hazard? in light of recent press coverage of other dehumidifiers.

It was easy to set up, program and operate. Does a great job for my crawlspace. Set it and forget it. Havent had long enough to clean but if its as easy as everything else it will be a piece of cake. Love that you can set % humidity and the pump operates when it needs to. glad I bought this one.

I purchased this unit to use in an unfinished basement. It worked OK for about a year and I bought a second unit for a different application. Before the second unit was installed, the first unit failed. Since it was over 1 year I had to pay nearly $400 for labor and refrigerant to have it repaired at the factory repair facility. It then worked for about 8 months and the control board failed. I ordered a replacement and installed it myself. Within 6 months, the unit was again freezing up. Meanwhile, the second unit failed and was repaired under warranty but within 9 months failed a second time.